Santa Maria Church (Ilocos Sur)

Santa Maria Pro-cathedral
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption
Santuario Arquidiocesano de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Spanish)
The church in September 2013
Santa Maria Pro-cathedral is located in Luzon
Santa Maria Pro-cathedral
Santa Maria Pro-cathedral
Location in Luzon
Santa Maria Pro-cathedral is located in Philippines
Santa Maria Pro-cathedral
Santa Maria Pro-cathedral
Location in the Philippines
17°22′0″N 120°28′59.2″E / 17.36667°N 120.483111°E / 17.36667; 120.483111
LocationSanta Maria, Ilocos Sur
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusArchdiocesan Shrine
DedicationOur Lady of the Assumption
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNational Historical Landmark; World Heritage Site; National Cultural Treasure
Designated
  • January 14, 1974; December 11, 1993; 2015
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleEarthquake Baroque
Groundbreaking1765
Specifications
Length99 meters (325 ft) wide.[1]
Width22.7 meters (74 ft)
Number of floors2
Number of towers1
Number of spires2
MaterialsBrick
Bells6
Administration
ArchdioceseNueva Segovia
DeanerySt. Lucy[2]
ParishOur Lady of the Assumption
Clergy
Priest(s)Fr. Ronilo Guerrero Villa
Fr. Erylle Emanuelle Tacla Cordero
Official nameChurch of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion
Part ofBaroque Churches of the Philippines
CriteriaCultural: (ii)(iv)
Reference677bis-002
Inscription1993 (17th Session)
Extensions2013
National Historical Landmarks
Official nameSanta Maria Church
DesignatedAugust 1, 1973
Reference no.No. 260, s. 1973

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, commonly known as Santa Maria Church and Santa Maria Pro-cathedral, is a Roman Catholic shrine in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 11, 1993, as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Baroque Spanish-era churches.[3] It is currently the pro-cathedral of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia while the Vigan Cathedral is undergoing repairs.

The Santa Maria Church is an attraction to tourists and Catholics in Ilocos Sur. It is a reminder of the four centuries of Spanish domination of that area and a unique structure with a diversified architectural design of bricks and mortar. It was built on top of a hill a lookout and a citadel as well as a religious center during the early administration of the region by friars and soldiers of Spain.

Side walls of Santa Maria Church with bell tower
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference GE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia". Claretian Publications. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  3. ^ Dacumos, Jane (August 3, 2012). "The Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion – Ilocos Sur". Vigattin tourism. Retrieved on January 24, 2014.